https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-fate-of-shopping-malls Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Fri, 17 Apr 2026 20:50:35 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-fate-of-shopping-malls/page/2#post-1880348 Fri, 19 Jan 2018 00:01:51 +0000 Linda 1880348@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>The notion of a "destination" site is interesting.&nbsp; I don't think most of our local malls have considered that.&nbsp; However, the one where L&amp;T is closing, is one that actually comes to mind for me, as a place that does offer movies, restaurants as well as clothing and shopping opportunities.&nbsp; So for stores there to be leaving .... yes, it's really troubling to consider.</p> <p>For sure one draw, for me and my DH, is when there are nice options for a meal, before or following a shopping outing.&nbsp; I have to admit too, that, in times past, my parents and my husband and I used to like to visit together as we shopped some large indoor mall.&nbsp; At that time there were a nice mix of cafes and shops, and anchor stores.&nbsp; I fondly remember a mall in Virginia, where there was a terrific German cafe, the pastries and coffees there were sublime.&nbsp; I know the cafe closed a very long time ago, and I can't recall the last time I considered visiting to shop at that mall. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-fate-of-shopping-malls#post-1879887 Wed, 17 Jan 2018 19:07:51 +0000 Jazzy Dance 1879887@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Here in Charlotte, NC, the few high-end fancy-pants malls do very well, always lots of people shopping and just walking around. Charlotte is a city with a large, well-off, spend-and-shop population. However, the malls with the mid-range stores are a different story. There's a few abandoned ones-- one was turned into a school, another government offices, and one is a hot spot for gang activity. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-fate-of-shopping-malls#post-1879886 Wed, 17 Jan 2018 19:03:18 +0000 Mainelady 1879886@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Sadly in my area malls and many Main Streets are struggling to keep businesses alive. The nearest real mall, which is an hour away has recently lost Macy’s and just today announced the closing of 4 smaller stores. It is sad to see buildings and retails spaces empty and even sadder to realize how many people are left looking for employment. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-fate-of-shopping-malls#post-1879808 Wed, 17 Jan 2018 15:23:43 +0000 Janet 1879808@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Linda, yes, it's Annapolis Mall. I live about five minutes away from there, so it's really convenient. There's also the Parole center where there's a Target, Anthro, Lululemon, Target, and Brooks Bros, along with the Whole Foods and some other retailers like Restoration Hardware. I think those are doing OK, at least the Target is always hopping and the Anthro seems to be doing business.&nbsp;</p> <p>I'm definitely seeing evidence that department stores in general are a struggling lot. The bargain shops like TJMaxx, Marshalls, and Rack seem to be doing well though.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-fate-of-shopping-malls#post-1879796 Wed, 17 Jan 2018 15:03:37 +0000 Zaeobi 1879796@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>It might be different in Hong Kong, since many people come here specifically to shop, but certain types of malls are thriving out here - mainly the ones aimed at the upper-class, luxury &amp; designer brands. These aren't frequented by the locals much though (except for the restaurants, maybe), so it's a little controversial but still applicable. What might explain the abundance of malls here though is the weather &amp; the facilities: </p> <p>People spend a LOT of time in malls here since it's very hot &amp; humid for most of the year (when there isn't a typhoon incoming lol), so Hong Kong malls have adapted to offer a lot more than just clothes shopping. Not only are there food courts but standalone restaurants too, as well as more 'unusual' stuff like nurseries (kindergartens), full-sized grocery stores, bus stations, hairdressers, 7/11s, gyms, spas &amp; gaming arcades. </p> <p>This would be considered strange in most of the UK because, whilst we do have these facilities, we also have more space - so you would usually go to all of these facilities in separate, standalone buildings (that you may need to drive to). Over here however, it isn't unusual to find a Michelin-starred restaurant tucked away on the 23rd floor of an industrial building with no parking for cars. Maybe that's why Hong Kong is more open to keeping their malls open? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-fate-of-shopping-malls#post-1879788 Wed, 17 Jan 2018 14:45:20 +0000 Angie 1879788@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Sooooo, I just heard that they are remodeling the downtown mall, which us why the retailers moved out. Malls are thriving in Seattle after all.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-fate-of-shopping-malls#post-1879739 Wed, 17 Jan 2018 12:59:11 +0000 Toban 1879739@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I prefer in person shopping over on-line, but I feel that more and more I'm pushed into on-line shopping. The selections in the stores reflect only a fraction of the the options and size selection is often poor (esp. in petites). And yet, I find myself at the mall a lot to see the colors and fabrics in person, and to try sizes in similar items to make my on-line ordering more successful. I also find that most customer service in the stores is limited and they don't know their products because they get new product every week. My local J.Jill store is an exception, with amazing service. They will often bring me multiple sizes in regular and petite to find the perfect fit. They also check the back stock for alternative colors. I get zero help at Talbots, and mixed service at Ann Taylor. Mall shopping would be more appealing if the customer service was better.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-fate-of-shopping-malls#post-1879728 Wed, 17 Jan 2018 12:02:38 +0000 kkards 1879728@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>janet, and others, you might be interested in this&nbsp;<a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/26/fashion/an-ode-to-shopping-malls.html">https://www.nytimes.com/2017/0.....malls.html</a></p> <p>and yes, it is estimated that 20-25% of the malls in the US will close in the next 5 years. i will also note that this is not a new conversation, concern about the death of malls and dead malls has been part of the retail converstation since the great recession, its just&nbsp;accelerated and moved closer to larger urban centers in the past year or so...<br /><a rel="nofollow" href="http://money.cnn.com/2017/06/02/news/economy/doomed-malls/index.html">http://money.cnn.com/2017/06/0.....index.html</a><br /><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.businessinsider.com/what-will-happen-to-closed-malls-2017-12/#before-the-department-store-1">http://www.businessinsider.com.....ment-store</a> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-fate-of-shopping-malls#post-1879594 Tue, 16 Jan 2018 23:50:55 +0000 cindysmith 1879594@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I saw the malls in the shreveport/dossier city area get emptier and emptier when I lived in that area. There really wasn't anything I liked there to begin with, but it slowly evolved to house more inexpensive stores like h&amp;m, Charlotte russet, ny&amp;co, etc. The Louisiana Boardwalk in Bossier City is doing ok-ish, but it's mostly outlets.</p> <p>I haven't been to a mall in the metroplex since I moved here to the middle of nowhere, because it's just easier for me to find what I like online. That also gives me the bonus of not having to fight traffic. Maybe people like me are why malls are dying. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-fate-of-shopping-malls#post-1879460 Tue, 16 Jan 2018 18:36:14 +0000 Kathie 1879460@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>The smaller outdoor shopping center near me recently lost their Macy's, but is going through a transformation as more of a lifestyle location, as the fitness places (Orange Theory, etc.) and restaurants are taking over. The the year-round, indoors farmer's market is doing bustling business, as is the Trader Joe's next to it.</p> <p>The destination mall (10 miles away) is always bustling, though I do use it more to return items. But, it's never empty, and has the movie theater/multiple restaurants, too, so there's more of a reason to go there than simply shop.</p> <p>It's interesting to see the transformation- what I'm seeing definitely fits with the idea that people are choosing to spend their money less on stuff and more on experiences. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-fate-of-shopping-malls#post-1879459 Tue, 16 Jan 2018 18:35:49 +0000 Anonymous 1879459@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>The closest mall to me has a Macy's, Sears, and JCP as their big dept stores. I don't buy anything from these stores, but the smaller stores in the mall seem to be doing well. (I wonder how long before the Sears closes?)&nbsp; Nordstrom Rack opened nearby almost 2 years ago and I have yet to find anything I like there. Another mall a bit further has a Bloomingdales which I adore, but a lot of low priced clothing places have opened up in that mall and they do great business. So are people looking for low priced cheap clothing instead of pricier higher end clothing? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-fate-of-shopping-malls#post-1879456 Tue, 16 Jan 2018 18:20:28 +0000 annagybe 1879456@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I was in Miami Beach the other day. They had a big outdoor mall. Lots of restaurants with outdoor seating seemed to be doing ok. But so many empty storefronts. I was surprised, there was lots of foot traffic from the beach. I finally saw a Y-3 store, unfortunately the size large jacket on sale was too small for me. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-fate-of-shopping-malls#post-1879453 Tue, 16 Jan 2018 18:06:36 +0000 Linda 1879453@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Yikes Janet!&nbsp; I'm a L&amp;T fan.&nbsp; Is it the Annapolis Mall store that's being shuttered?&nbsp; (Sounds like the site from your mention of the new wing that was added)&nbsp; I'm in Maryland although Annapolis isn't my closest.&nbsp; I've been watching as malls whithered here for a while now.&nbsp; They really had a heyday, IMO, but yes, it's good to get used to online shopping.&nbsp; </p> <p>I was brought up short once when I needed to try to exchange a pair of running tights, bought online from Express, to find that the local outdoor mall Express store carried not one stitch of the brand's fitness wear. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-fate-of-shopping-malls#post-1879427 Tue, 16 Jan 2018 16:55:41 +0000 cjh 1879427@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh yes. Our local mall, the only "shopping central" in our county since I was in college (ahem a long time ago), has recently lost Macy's and JCPenney, both sources for staple wardrobe pieces, as well as Gap, The Limited and Coldwater Creek. Christopher and Banks&nbsp;and a few others have pared down the inventory to just about nothing. I heard that Bergner's (age old department store where I even worked in high school) is closing stores in our region also, not that I found much that appealed&nbsp;there lately. The mall does feel empty and full of ghosts and echoes. BUT if you need clothes, you have to go somewhere.</p> <p>My first choice when I shop for clothes is TJMaxx. For undies, jammies and other fundamentals (tshirts, socks, etc.), Kohl's is about&nbsp;the only place. I have tried some online shopping including J. Crew and Nordstrom, but with a 60-80% return rate due to imperfect fit or other features, it's quite a challenge.</p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-fate-of-shopping-malls#post-1879413 Tue, 16 Jan 2018 16:19:58 +0000 texstyle 1879413@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>The closest malls to me are still doing okay on the outskirts of Austin and San Antonio. These are the large outdoor malls with lots of variety including: restaurants, coffee shops, salon services, fitness, entertainment and often living options in addition to a few flagship stores.&nbsp; I don't see many closed up shops - but I do see some transitions from one store to another in the smaller businesses.</p> <p>Indoor malls I think may be struggling more and the smaller ones in Austin at least did close up several years back and turn into other commercial spaces&nbsp; - a college in one for example.</p> <p>People still do want entertainment - and shopping has been a big part of that for so long, I'm not sure if it will just go away completely - but it has to change into more of the above mentioned "destination" shopping experience I guess.&nbsp; I think people like the freedom and perceived safety of outdoor malls compared to indoor malls.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-fate-of-shopping-malls#post-1879389 Tue, 16 Jan 2018 15:19:00 +0000 JAileen 1879389@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>A little over a year ago we visited our son in MN, and went to Mall of America. It is gigantic. However, it wasn’t fabulous. Instead of having more companies represented there, they had multiple stores of the same company. For example, there were five Sunglass Huts there. We were there in the evening and ate dinner there, and the mall was mobbed. Of course, having an indoor theme park helps draw people. It didn’t appeal to me very much.</p> <p>The best mall I’ve ever been to is the Stanford Shopping Center in Palo Alto. Not only were there great stores, but the stores were required by the center’s management to be dog friendly. My brother insisted we take our dog. And sure enough, there were bowls of water and treats to be had. It was kind of surreal, actually. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-fate-of-shopping-malls#post-1879386 Tue, 16 Jan 2018 15:16:45 +0000 LaPed 1879386@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>My region is not population-dense enough to support a real mall. There is a "mall" a coupe towns over but it is just an old converted mill building with several local boutiques and a hairdresser, bookended by an LLBean store and an EMS (the New England version of REI). It is never busy, even during the holidays, but in the two years I've been here, I haven't seen any of the businesses in it go out of business. In my tiny town, there is no retail to speak of -- just gas station, dollar store, thrift store.&nbsp; &nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-fate-of-shopping-malls#post-1879378 Tue, 16 Jan 2018 15:06:10 +0000 Angie 1879378@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>YES. There are six open retail spaces at the small Pacific Place Mall in downtown Seattle. Personally, I think the rent is too expensive. Seattle is hellish at the moment. Quite unaffordable. The fancier and much bigger malls in the burbs seem to be thriving though.&nbsp;</p> <p>Online shopping is changing the world. Amazon is taking over the world.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-fate-of-shopping-malls#post-1879355 Tue, 16 Jan 2018 14:07:34 +0000 Janet 1879355@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Yep, I'd read that many malls are struggling, but somehow the L&amp;T closing comes as a shock. Frankly, about 90% of the mall holds no appeal to me. I tend to cruise through quickly on my way to Nordstrom, Zara, the Apple store, Sephora, or L&amp;T. There's a decent middle eastern food place in the food court, so sometimes I go there. Otherwise, it's a lot of stores that mostly leave me cold (lots of juniors-focused or younger brands). Somehow the Gap never seems to stock the more interesting things I see from them online, the BR is kind of small and not much selection, and same for JCrew. I hate the Macy's there but I keep giving them another chance and walk through every so often, but nope, it still sucks every time.&nbsp;</p> <p>Still, it's the nicest mall within a good 45-60 minute drive. I suppose it's good for me that I'm getting more used to online shopping.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-fate-of-shopping-malls#post-1879352 Tue, 16 Jan 2018 14:00:28 +0000 Bijou 1879352@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Yes it is definitely happening in Australia too, malls seem to have to renew and rebuild or else they are left with large vacancies. The real issue we have is the lack of variety in malls. Most malls seem to be replicants with the same shops as others. We have our cheaper malls (with anchor tenants such as Big W, Kmart and Target) and the more upmarket malls with department stores, the shops in between do not vary much at all.&nbsp;</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-fate-of-shopping-malls#post-1879349 Tue, 16 Jan 2018 13:55:45 +0000 Helena 1879349@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I agree with Sal - it's a mixed bag here around the GTA (Toronto). Our local mall in Newmarket (a decently-sized town north of Toronto) seems to be doing well and adding new, somewhat higher-end-for-a-mall stores - but it's really the only good mall for quite a distance, so it has a large catchment area. I find the big malls are doing well, but the medium-sized and smaller ones are struggling and looking pretty tired.</p> <p>What I notice is that the stores with a strong online presence generally look like garbage in the mall (I'm looking at you, Gap!), leading me to think some are becoming more 'online refund depots' than actual stores. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-fate-of-shopping-malls#post-1879345 Tue, 16 Jan 2018 13:49:23 +0000 Anonymous 1879345@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>There is a lot in the media about this - say, over the past 18 months or so. &nbsp;Malls have a challenge ahead of them that many haven't figured out how to do: appeal to the millennials who have different needs and ways of spending time than we did/do. &nbsp;Sears has just closed here - all of their stores- and all malls are going through lots of movement. &nbsp;The big one here is doing well though : always at full capacity lease-wise , except for the gaping hole left by Sears. &nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-fate-of-shopping-malls#post-1879335 Tue, 16 Jan 2018 13:24:02 +0000 Aurore 1879335@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Here in France,&nbsp;it seems like downtown shops in most medium-sized cities have difficulties, but not the big shopping malls I know. </p> <p>Sadly this means less small boutiques run by enthusiasts, and more big shops dedicated to famous brands. <br />The big, american-inspired mall in my town&nbsp;keeps getting bigger and does well,&nbsp;maybe thanks to its "premium" positioning and location near touristic sites. Shopping there is great for choice. But I personnally prefer&nbsp;the shopping experience in the smaller shops in my in-laws' town, where the sales assistants can actually take the time to help each customer and keep discovering new, unknown&nbsp;brands. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-fate-of-shopping-malls#post-1879333 Tue, 16 Jan 2018 13:19:38 +0000 Aquamarine 1879333@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>The nearest big mall to me is struggling, and there are rumors it will close in the next few years. However, another indoor mall about 45 minutes away seems to be doing well, but it has an interesting mix of stores, condos, a supermarket (Wegmans), and very nice restaurants. Nordstrom, Saks, Macy’s, Lord and Taylor, and Neiman Marcus are the anchors.</p> <p>I rarely go to the mall anymore, defaulting to online shopping most of the time. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-fate-of-shopping-malls#post-1879274 Tue, 16 Jan 2018 06:42:03 +0000 karen13 1879274@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think B&amp;M retail in general in struggling. There is so much turnover at my local malls, both indoor and outdoor. And one of our indoor malls was bulldozed 10 year ago and is only now seeing housing being built on the site. I read a few weeks ago that fitness centers, which once used to be shunned by malls, are now desirable tenants because they create foot traffic.&nbsp;</p> <p>I like to buy B&amp;M when I can to keep it going, but the retailers aren't making it easy for me.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-fate-of-shopping-malls#post-1879261 Tue, 16 Jan 2018 05:20:41 +0000 rachylou 1879261@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>The indoor malls around me died decades ago. They are now places to get caught in gang crossfire. </p> <p>The outdoor malls that replaced them are also tanking. At Christmas - I swear at least a third of the shops were or had gone out of business. There’s no place truly local where I can buy sneakers to wear at the bakery as of Halloween last year.</p> <p>There are, interestingly enough, a lot of Ross’s - and new ones opening up. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-fate-of-shopping-malls#post-1879255 Tue, 16 Jan 2018 04:55:50 +0000 Anonymous 1879255@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Yes. The newest mall in Kansas City, a hugely popular place when it was built, was bulldozed to clear the land a couple of years ago. Two smaller malls are also closed and razed or soon will be. I am also seeing more chains and less local shops in all areas. Strip malls...why do they even bother to build new ones? There are so many empty store fronts. Some stores in the mall have greatly reduced their merchandise, expecting you to order on line. Recently the JJill SAs ordered a topper for me to be sent to my house. I had liked it on the manikin but one piece, while it fit, had a flaw. They sent the wrong thing in the wrong color and wrong size. It was similar. Did they think I wouldn't notice?! Frustration. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-fate-of-shopping-malls#post-1879239 Tue, 16 Jan 2018 04:02:38 +0000 Christina F. 1879239@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Malls in America are diminishing, and in fact they’ve mostly stopped building new ones. I’m sure the difficulties brick and mortar stores are facing are part of it. Any malls opening recently had been planned before the 2008 recession and had been delayed. Wall Street Journal has an article about this but it’s behind a paywall. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-fate-of-shopping-malls#post-1879237 Tue, 16 Jan 2018 03:59:14 +0000 Sal 1879237@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>It is a bit of a mixed bag here - some malls seem to be thriving and growing, and others are dying.&nbsp; The ones that are succeeding are more the destination type mall with cinemas/great dining options/flagship overseas stores (here this might be Zara for example that is not in every city or mall), the ones that are struggling are the general suburban mall with similar tenants to everywhere else.</p> <p>I do visit the mall - there are three in my city.&nbsp; Not a huge fan though because of the conditions they place on independent retailers and the homogeneity of what is on offer.&nbsp; But when buying clothes for my sons, or looking at shoes, or wanting a large pharmacy with lots of options, I do head to the mall.</p> <p>Online shopping is making it tough times for retailers here. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-fate-of-shopping-malls#post-1879232 Tue, 16 Jan 2018 03:52:26 +0000 Jaime 1879232@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Not really a good comparison, but malls in Israel are thriving. I do think it is a sociological rather than a shopping thing, although obviously online shopping has had a huge impact. Honestly I spent my fair share of time in malls growing up in NJ and strongly disliked them even then. </p>